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Get Out This Weekend: Orchestras, Bedlams and the Civil War

April begins with a bloom of activities and entertainment around town. Patch lines up some events to help you make the most of your weekend.

Posted Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 12:24 am ET|Updated Thu, Mar 31, 2011 at 2:44 pm ET

Where: Anne S. Richardson Auditorium, 700 N. Salem Road, Ridgefield
When: Saturday, 8-10:30 p.m.
Why go: In its final concert of the season, the RSO is bound for Paris with a program to include Berlioz’ “Rob Roy Overture,” Bizet’s “Symphony No. 1 in C Major,” Saint-Saëns’ “Bacchanale” from “Samson et Dalila,” Gluck’s “Dance of the Blessed Spirits” from “Orphée et Eurydice,” Fauré’s “Masques et Bergamasques” and Ravel’s “La Valse.” In addition, the evening will include a lecture by RSO Music Director Jerry Steichen at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Roy Weinstein and Ken Kast, professional photographers and Ridgefield Guild of Artists members, will add their own “harmony” with their own images of Paris projected onstage.
Price: $60, $45, $25. Buy tickets online, call 203-438-3889 or email email@ridgefieldsymphony.org

Where:, 103 Danbury Road, Ridgefield
When: Sunday, 3:30-6 p.m.
Why go: Stress reduction for children means less stress for parents as well. This workshop presented by Wendy McLean and Ellie Kirk explores a variety of means that will help release stress and increase joy for parents and children alike. For more information or tickets call Ellie at 203-244-5092 or email wendy@consciousparentingseminars.com
Price: $40 for one, $70 for two registered together. Buy tickets here

Where: The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield
When: Friday, 8 p.m.
Why go: Now with 50 years in the business creating hits like “Tell It Like It is” and “Everybody Plays the Fool,” Aaron Neville and his quintet , featuring brother Charles Neville, will bring a half-century of musical influence to the playhouse stage. It’s an opportunity to become reacquainted with songs of years ago, as well as Aaron Neville’s more recent achievements with albums ”Bring It On Home - The Soul Classics” in 2006 and the newly released “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” Listen to "Crazy Love" Special Guest: Griffin Anthony For details including a wine tasting and restaurant discount click here
Price: $65. For details and tickets click here
Also: Appearing at the playhouse Sunday is renowned "ghost whisperer" James Van Praagh

Where:
When: Member/opening party Saturday, 6-8 p.m; exhibit runs through Saturday, April 16
Why go: This anticipated exhibit displays “all types and themes of artwork,” according to organizers. “Isolation,” a work by Beverly Wallace, was selected to represent this year’s show. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 12-4 p.m. For more information visit www.rgoa.org or call 203-438-8863.
Price: Admission is free.

CIVIL WAR-RELATED EVENTS

Where: 132 Main Street, Ridgefield
When: Sunday, 4-6 p.m.
Why go: Charlie Pankenier, a student of the Civil War for most of his life, will discuss what the North/South conflict meant for Ridgefield, describing “the dramatic, poignant and largely untold story of how our town fought the war, what it was like to be a Ridgefield foot soldier and the sacrifices of families on the home front,” according to Keeler’s announcement For more information visit www.keelertavernmuseum.org or call 203-438-5485.
Price: $15/general admission, $10/members

Where: , 224 Danbury Road, Wilton
When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Why go: Ever wonder what it was like to be a soldier during the Civil War? Here’s your chance to find out, as “Wilton High School senior Mike Kaelin leads a re-enactment demonstrating a Civil War encampment with the 14th CT Regiment taking place on the society’s grounds. A lecture by fellow senior Brian Caswell takes place at 1 p.m. This Living History Day event complements the society’s new exhibit, “America’s Civil War Retrospective” open Tuesdays-Fridays 10-4, Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4 (closed Easter) through May 13. For more information .
Price: Reenactment and exhibit are free for WHS members, $5 for non-member families.

Where: Darien Historical Society, 45 Old Kings Hwy N.
When: Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; daily Tuesday-Friday through May 31
Why go: The Darien Historical Society opened this exhibit in its Scofield Barn last weekend to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. Exhibit organizer Ken Reiss “chronicles the men from Darien who fought in the war through personal letters and memorabilia, as well as historic background on regiments and battles. The second part of the exhibition offers a background on Fitch's Home for Soldiers, the first veterans' home in the country.” For details visit http://historical.darien.org, email info@darienhistorical.org or call 203-655-9233.

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